East Moline School District 37 has $17,765,000 in debt, which is $2,218 per household in the district, according to Illinois State Board of Education 2016 financial reports obtained by the Rock Island Today.

Silvis School District 34 has $3,752,000 in debt, which is $2,291 per household in the district, according to Illinois State Board of Education 2016 financial reports obtained by the Rock Island Today.

Public sector employees and retirees could accept less than their constitutionally protected pensions if they understand it's them or public education, an economist said during an appearance on a recent Chicago-based radio show.

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

Hailing the project as “more than just a bridge,” Gov. Bruce Rauner joined his Iowa counterpart and other officials in a ceremonial groundbreaking for construction of an Interstate 74 Mississippi River bridge recently.